Millis, Mass. 
In The News
Youth Chosen For National Drug Panel
The Boston Globe - June, 2002
Mary Kate Duffy took her first D.A.R.E. course in fifth grade. Now Duffy is back
with D.A.R.E., or Drug Abuse Resistance Education, joining 49 other
representatives in Washington, D.C., this fall on the organization's Youth
Advisory Board. She was nominated for the position last month by Peter McGowan,
the Millis D.A.R.E. officer. Duffy, 16, a
sophomore at Millis High School, was honored at the State House June 3 as the
Massachusetts representative to the advisory board.
"She's just the ideal kid to represent Massachusetts in the D.A.R.E.
program," McGowan said. "She's everything that D.A.R.E. stands for.
She's a nice kid, a smart kid, she does great in school."
More than 80 graduates of the D.A.R.E. program were at the ceremony in the Great
Hall, along with about 100 D.A.R.E. officers, parents, and state officials. US
Attorney Michael J. Sullivan was the keynote speaker.
Jill Roberts, director of the Youth Advisory Board, said Duffy and the other
representatives "can go back out into the community and give us their
perspective on what youth needs are."
The 50 representatives, who must be "active, articulate, and
outgoing," will become the "voice for youth" on the nationwide
advisory board, Roberts said in an interview from Virginia
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Donations keep D.A.R.E. programs alive, so far
The Milford Daily News - March 16, 2003
Area D.A.R.E. programs are still going strong despite the total elimination of
funds last October. But officials say upcoming budget cuts could spell disaster.
Millis Police Sgt. Peter McGowan heads up the Drug Abuse Resistance Education
(D.A.R.E.) program and said he has worked hard to maintain an excellent program.
Since former acting Gov. Jane Swift cut all D.A.R.E. funding last fall, McGowan
has formed a committee of concerned parents to help with fund-raising and
planning. So far, he has been successful.
"Companies, parents and anonymous donors have been very good to us and have
allowed us to keep the program going," McGowan said.
The local Lions Club recently offered to match any funds the D.A.R.E. program
raises up to $3,000, which McGowan plans to do via raffles, a possible
dinner-dance and through donations.
"We knew the D.A.R.E. program needed funds and this is what we came up
with," said Roger McCann, president of the Lions Club. "It's a
worthwhile program and it's very necessary to the town."
McGowan said the money raised will be used simply to keep the program afloat and
to provide training for the new D.A.R.E. curriculum coming out in the next few
months.
In Bellingham, Lt. Kevin Ranieri said officers were able to do more with
D.A.R.E. before the cuts, but said the program has still remains very active
thanks to donations.
Ranieri said there are two D.A.R.E. officers in the elementary school now and
the department is footing the bill. While he knows D.A.R.E. will survive until
the end of the school year, the rest is uncertain.
"The biggest problem is that the numbers for next year's budget keep
changing, and we don't know how much the department will be cut," Ranieri
said. "Until that stuff gets settled, we just don't know."
The Lions Club and other individuals in town occasionally hold fund-raisers,
which pay for graduation t-shirts, Ranieri said.
Uxbridge Police Officer Brian MacDonald said he hasn't done one bit of
fund-raising. He doesn't have to.
"We haven't had to solicit funds or do any fund-raising at all,"
MacDonald said. "People have been extremely supportive, and it shows by
their contributions."
While towns such as Milford and Northbridge stopped the D.A.R.E. program years
ago, Uxbridge has expanded the program to kindergarten students, as well as
three other grade levels. MacDonald said this is the same number of grades
serviced before the cuts last fall.
Although he is pleased with the support he received this year, like everyone
else in the state, MacDonald worries about July.
"The layoffs might affect us drastically, so we might have to cut
back," MacDonald said. "But it won't be because of a lack of
support."
Janice Cunningham, president of Massachusetts D.A.R.E. officers, wants people to
know that just because D.A.R.E. has no funding, doesn't mean the program is
non-existent.
"We only received funding in 1994, and there are quite a few of us still
going, and we're learning how to raise our own funds," Cunningham said.
"There has been a decrease in D.A.R.E. activity, but the chiefs are truly
committed and have turned themselves inside-out to keep D.A.R.E. going."
Cunningham said there are many ways to raise additional money, such as asking
corporations to make donations that are tax deductible. Other ideas include
selling books, car washes, seeking parent donations and participating in
fund-raisers such as selling candles.
D.A.R.E. Youth Advisory Board member Mary Kate Duffy
Millis High School student Mary Kate Duffy proved that not only does the program
work, but increased funds will lead to greater participation.
Duffy, who was elected to the D.A.R.E. America Youth Advisory Board and
attended a national conference in Washington, D.C. in November, started a
six-week after-school program to keep middle school students out of trouble.
By offering kids a place to watch movies, play sports and meet law enforcement
officials, Duffy was able to attract roughly 100 middle school students every
Thursday for two hours after school. She was assisted by McGowan.
"It's important for kids to know that not everyone is doing drugs,"
Duffy said. "There are positive role models out there, and this program
gives kids someone to look up to."
Roche Bros. Supermarket even provided free snacks, juice and cookies every week,
Duffy said.
Even though funds were totally eliminated, Duffy said she thinks the program is
in better shape now than when she went through it several years ago.
"I think the D.A.R.E. program is doing very well for our small town,"
she said. "If anything I think it has improved because now there is outside
contact, not just officers in the classrooms."
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Program